§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the joint report of Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace called "Exposing the Faults: the Geological Case against Plans by Nirex to Dispose of Radioactive Waste".
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not responded to the joint Friends of the Earth/Greenpeace report. Any proposal submitted by UK Nirex for the development of a deep repository for low and intermediate-level radioactive waste will have to satisfy the authorising Departments' assessment principles.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many studies regarding the geological formation of places which Nirex chose for the disposal of nuclear waste were carried out prior to such decisions; and who carried out the studies.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn seeking to identify a preferred site for a radioactive waste repository, Nirex has followed the three-stage approach recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This is outlined in Nirex's report to Government, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The report also lists the main contractors and consultants.